What Causes Low Sodium and Chloride Levels in The Blood?

What Causes Hyponatremia?

According the Cleveland Clinic, most cases of hyponatremia result from having too much water in your body, which dilutes the concentration of sodium in the blood. Less commonly, hyponatremia can occur if you lose a large amount of sodium from your body.

"People who are at risk of hyponatremia are people who, for whatever reason, are either taking in a whole lot of water or people who can't get rid of water," explains Daniel Weiner, MD, FASN, an associate professor at Tufts University School of Medicine and a member of the American Society of Nephrology's Quality Committee.

A range of health conditions can cause hyponatremia, according to the Mayo Clinic, including:

• Heart, kidney and liver problems
• Hormonal problems like Addison's disease or thyroid problems
• Syndrome of inappropriate anti-diuretic hormone (SIADH), a condition in which elevated levels of this hormone cause your body to retain water instead of excreting it normally in your urine

People with burns across a large area of the body may also develop hyponatremia as well, notes the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

Certain medications can also lead to low blood sodium levels, including some antidepressants, MDMA (Ecstasy), pain medications and thiazide diuretics, which are commonly used to treat high blood pressure, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Hyponatremia may result from rapidly drinking excessive amounts of water. People who've lost a lot of water and sodium through vomiting, diarrhea or excessive sweating during prolonged exercise can also develop hyponatremia, especially if they consume a lot of water without simultaneously replacing their lost sodium, per the Cleveland Clinic.

Common Causes of Hypochloremia

Hyponatremia frequently goes hand-in-hand with hypochloremia. Conditions that cause low sodium levels in the blood usually also cause decreased levels of chloride, per the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

In addition, hypochloremia can result from metabolic alkalosis or chronic respiratory acidosis, conditions that affect the acidity level of the blood, Dr. Weiner says.

When to Seek Treatment

Treatment for hyponatremia and hypochloremia depends on the underlying cause, as well as the severity of symptoms, so it's important to see a health care provider to determine what is causing your low sodium or chloride levels.

The Mayo Clinic recommends you seek emergency medical attention right away if you experience any of the severe symptoms of hyponatremia, such as:

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